Lionsgate’s Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired North American rights to the Mexican animated feature El Americano, the Movie 3D. Written by Richard Pursel (SpongeBob Squarpants, Ren & Stimpy) and veteran animator Phil Roman (Garfield), the film is voiced by Lisa Kudrow, Cheech Marin, Rico Rodriguez (Manny on Modern Family) and Edward James Olmos (who also executive-produced the film). Directed by Mexico’s Ricardo Arnaiz, along with Mike Kunkle and Raul Garcia, El Americano will be distributed by Lionsgate on DVD/blu-ray – and will be available for digital download via Netflix.

The story follows Cuco, a young Mexican parrot, who embarks on an epic quest to persuade an American crime-fighting TV celeb to defend his family from bullies. It’s the fourth feature and first CG movie from Mexico’s Animex Studios.